RANK #130 / 996 · POP 130,965 · NH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.5%
Durham, home to the University of New Hampshire, stands out as a notable town within Strafford County. The county, located in southeastern New Hampshire, borders Maine and is about an hour's drive from Boston, Massachusetts. Its landscape features lowlands, rivers like the Cocheco and Lamprey, and access to Little and Great Bays, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing. The community feel varies, with some towns like Strafford offering a quiet, rural atmosphere. Commuting within the county and to nearby cities is common, with resources like TripLink providing transportation information and services.
Life in Strafford County blends natural beauty with community amenities. Many residents own their homes, and the area attracts young professionals. The economy is influenced by education and healthcare, with the University of New Hampshire in Durham being a significant institution. Efforts are underway to address housing availability and affordability, and regional planning focuses on economic growth and infrastructure improvements. The Strafford Economic Development Corporation works to support local businesses through financing and technical assistance.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Community Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Residential New Construction (multiple developments)
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Strafford County has a Boom Town Index score of 87/100, ranking #130 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.4% and a median household income of $83,212, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Strafford County is $300,200 with median rent at $1,308/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2772, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.4%. Home values changed +3.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.25% of Strafford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.